PID Chapter 66

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ヾ(о-ω･)ﾉ⌒★

 

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Indeed, because he was at Foundation Establishment stage and someone Chu Jinglan valued highly, they naturally let him in without anyone caring whether he was a demon or not.

 

The elder unconsciously put away the bottle containing the demon-detecting powder, planning to make more later. He also realized that as conflicts between humans and demons deepened, human cultivators needed a way to verify demons to prevent future demon spies.

 

Chu Jinglan: “He says Mo Lan is a spy, but what evidence does he have besides his words? Moreover, Mo Lan has been with me since my lowest point when I was just a cripple. No one knew if I could repair my dantian, let alone enter the upper realm. If he truly had designs on human cultivators, why would he follow me?”

 

This speech wasn’t part of the plan. Xiao Mo couldn’t help but slightly turn his head to look at Chu Jinglan.

 

The words sounded quite sincere.

 

Chu Jinglan’s words made sense. The sect leader and elders also pondered: Before Chu Jinglan, the cultivation world had only one person, Jing Lei, who repaired his dantian, and because the repair wasn’t perfect, he was stuck at Golden Core stage for life. If Mo Lan wanted to infiltrate a major sect, betting everything on Chu Jinglan alone wasn’t a wise move.

 

Chu Jinglan’s tone wasn’t heavy, but it conveyed his seriousness. Indeed, someone who accompanied you through your darkest, most difficult days without leaving – unless you were ungrateful, you’d absolutely cherish such a friendship.

 

People previously only knew Chu Jinglan treated Mo Lan well, but now it seemed they had underestimated Mo Lan’s importance in Chu Jinglan’s heart.

 

The sect leader looked at Chu Jinglan, the Moon Lord’s heir, then at the demon who was so important to him… this combination felt too familiar. The sect leader and several elders couldn’t help but twitch their eyelids.

 

Chu Jinglan bowed formally to them: “It was my oversight. If the sect cannot accept that he’s a demon, then I will—”

 

“Ah, ah!” The elder in front of Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan immediately raised Chu Jinglan’s bowing hand, interrupting him. “As long as one is kind-hearted, how could we not accept them? It’s just that today’s matter was too significant, so we called him for a face-to-face confrontation. We meant nothing else.”

 

Another elder also hurriedly said: “Right, right, facing him directly also ensures his innocence.”

 

They really didn’t dare imagine what would follow the words “I will.” They were too old to hear such things.

 

It was rare to obtain a genius like Chu Jinglan without fighting or competing. How could they repeat past mistakes over a small matter?

 

The sect leader also pressed his aura towards Fenxiu, saying sternly: “Besides this, do you have any other evidence?”

 

While gathering power, Fenxiu was thinking. No one knew his true identity, so who in the Yingyue Sect would frame him? Was it someone like him who wanted to intensify human-demon conflicts and targeted “Alie” who chose a human cultivation sect?

 

Or did someone simply find “Alie” annoying?

 

Fenxiu had no evidence, but he said: “Let me ask Mo Lan one more question, perhaps we can find the answer.”

 

He asked: “What kind of demon are you?”

 

In most cases, a demon’s type wasn’t a secret that needed hiding. Many demons even took pride in their race in their bones and blood. If someone casually asked, they would casually answer.

 

Fenxiu was just trying to buy time while making one last attempt.

 

But Xiao Mo showed no good expression towards him, cutting off his attempt to buy time: “Why should I tell someone who wants to frame me? Figure it out yourself.”

 

Fenxiu licked his teeth and smiled: “Good, you’re very good. You’re all very good. I don’t know who to blame for today’s account, so why don’t all of you present share it. This lord will remember!”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, Fenxiu let out a great shout, his aura surging violently, his cultivation rising at a terrifying speed. He was indeed a disguised Nascent Soul cultivator!

 

The sect leader’s pupils contracted, but his reaction wasn’t slow at all. He didn’t even take time to draw his sword, directly sending out a palm strike carrying the vast power of mountains, fiercely striking towards Fenxiu. The elders also immediately controlled the killing formation to attack. At this moment, Fenxiu’s cultivation hadn’t fully recovered to peak Great Perfection, and before the sect leader’s mountain-toppling palm even landed, the wind from it had already made Fenxiu spit out a mouthful of blood.

 

But Fenxiu wasn’t panicked at all. He raised his hand and threw out several heaven-grade magical tools, actually detonating them without blinking an eye!

 

Survival was paramount; blowing up a few heaven-grade magical tools was nothing, he didn’t care at all.

 

Terrifying spiritual energy fluctuations swept out. Fortunately, the killing formation that had been laid down also had a blocking effect. An elder immediately raised his hand to send Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan away: “Go!”

 

Chu Jinglan took the opportunity to wrap his arm around Xiao Mo’s waist, protecting him as they quickly flew into the air, landing steadily on the back of the guiding celestial crane. The crane flapped its wings and flew far away in the blink of an eye.

 

Even from a great distance, the pressure from the Great Perfection stage battle continued to ripple through the air. On that mountain peak, the world had changed color, with black clouds and golden light battling in the layered clouds. Fierce winds shattered rocks. If one were present, they might see an apocalyptic scene.

 

The celestial crane flew desperately, flapping its wings. Chu Jinglan looked back from the crane’s back, feeling the spiritual energy tremors, and couldn’t help thinking that this was the battle and pressure of the Great Perfection stage. One day, he would surely reach that realm, and even… go further!

 

Xiao Mo narrowed his eyes and said regretfully: “The sect leader won’t be able to kill him now.”

 

But he perked up again: “However, he should be able to severely injure him. He’ll probably have to go back and recuperate honestly for a century or two!”

 

With his Nascent Soul cultivation, Chu Jinglan couldn’t see the battlefield clearly at all. He thought Xiao Mo used some special perception to see and asked: “How do you know?”

 

Xiao Mo: “Just guessing.”

 

The system had just calculated it.

 

Before executing the plan, the system had estimated Fenxiu’s death rate and escape rate. The Yingyue Sect had the advantage of striking first and having favorable timing, location, and support. The sect leader absolutely wouldn’t lose this battle, otherwise Xiao Mo wouldn’t have acted, as he couldn’t let the sect leader fall into danger.

 

But unfortunately, Fenxiu had too many magical treasures and techniques. Though mad, he was also a top-tier expert.

 

He had another terrifying aspect: his ability to comprehend while fighting was very strong. Therefore, after the battle started, the system scanned the battlefield situation in real-time, and the probabilities began to change. Finally, it concluded that Fenxiu would most likely escape with severe injuries.

 

Indeed, it’s a pity. If they could have killed him here, both humans and demons would have had much more peace in the future.

 

Speaking of comprehending while fighting, Chu Jinglan was even stronger than him.

 

Hearing it was just a guess, Chu Jinglan shook his head helplessly. After the crane had flown them far away, Xiao Mo belatedly realized his and Chu Jinglan’s posture… they were very close.

 

Chu Jinglan still had one hand on his waist, his back pressed against Chu Jinglan’s chest, almost as if he was encircled in his embrace.

 

Today Xiao Mo wore golden clothes, with an outer garment of cicada-wing-thin cloud brocade. The hem was embroidered with ginkgo leaves in gold thread. The wind lifted the hem, like autumn leaves dancing, intertwining with the silver clouds on Chu Jinglan’s clothes, a beautiful sight.

 

The light gold belt accentuated Xiao Mo’s waist perfectly, held by Chu Jinglan’s well-defined hand, indescribably eye-catching and provocative.

 

But at such a crucial moment, who would notice this? Only after leaving the battlefield ravaged by pressure did Xiao Mo pat Chu Jinglan’s hand: “It’s fine, you can let go now.”

 

The state was too natural; Chu Jinglan hadn’t noticed either. He had only meant to steady them, but with Xiao Mo’s pat, he suddenly realized the intimacy of their posture.

 

Chu Jinglan’s hand paused, then slowly lowered his arm, releasing him.

 

When his arms were empty, he realized that when he had held the person in his embrace earlier, it wasn’t just Xiao Mo who felt stable, but himself as well.

 

Xiao Mo was stable in posture, while he was stable… in heart.

 

It was the reassurance of having something to protect in his arms, like a drifting lonely boat reaching a dock. He was the lonely boat, and Xiao Mo was the dock with a lit lamp.

 

Chu Jinglan looked down at his palm.

 

[Ding, mental attack successful, points added—]

 

Unprecedentedly, for the first time, it stuttered after the word “added.”

 

Xiao Mo noticed this situation too.

 

But soon, the voice continued [+1 point].

 

Xiao Mo: ?

 

One point? It seemed to be the lowest point gain ever. He hadn’t done anything just now, but it wasn’t the first time Chu Jinglan had given him points when he did nothing. But one point…

 

Well, it’s better than nothing.

 

Indeed, Xiao Mo was no longer the poor transmigrator from when he first arrived, striving for one or two points. Now he didn’t lack spiritual medicines or magical tools, and Chu Jinglan was even going to give him a heaven-grade flute. Xiao Mo’s points were quite abundant, even having enough to exchange for cultivation.

 

But he’d still save up more. After all, the exchange rate for cultivation was really unfavorable.

 

The two returned to Tianshui Peak. Half a day later, Yingyue’s sect protection array opened. As expected, Fenxiu had escaped with injuries. Towards the end, the sect leader naturally knew who he was fighting. The Yingyue Sect informed the other forces about Fenxiu’s infiltration. They had considered taking advantage of Fenxiu’s severe injuries to gather forces and kill him in the demon realm.

 

But in the following days, human cultivator spies near the demon realm reported no signs of a powerful being returning to the demon realm. They also inquired about the situation in the demon realm and found that the demon palace seemed to have no Demon Lord presiding.

 

Unable to find Fenxiu’s whereabouts, the interception plan couldn’t be implemented and had to be shelved for now.

 

The place where Fenxiu had resided in the Yingyue Sect, along with that entire mountain peak, was almost leveled. The disciples who originally lived there were relocated to other residences. Fortunately, the Yingyue Sect had many mountain peaks and didn’t lack space.

 

With Fenxiu no longer around to cause trouble, the air felt much fresher. The sect leader and elders didn’t inquire further about Xiao Mo’s situation, but Xiao Mo could sense that some elders actually disliked demons. However, due to Chu Jinglan’s attitude and the precedent set by the Moon Lord, they held back.

 

In any case, life became much more comfortable, and they could focus on cultivating peacefully.

 

That night, Xiao Mo once again returned to his sea of consciousness to train his spiritual sense.

 

Practicing spiritual sense cultivation in the sea of consciousness often led to surprising insights. Xiao Mo walked through the flower grove and sat cross-legged in front of the giant tree, closing his eyes in meditation.

 

The spiritual fireflies from the tree flew to his side, gently circling around him. In his sea of consciousness, the red lotus mark and the dao partner mark on his forehead overlapped, blooming like fire, exceptionally beautiful.

 

Fireflies dancing around a beauty, the scene was like a dreamy painting.

 

As Xiao Mo meditated today, he unknowingly leaned back against the tree trunk and fell asleep.

 

This shouldn’t have happened unless he could gain some insight while sleeping, but instead of insights, he was dreaming.

 

Strangely, Xiao Mo was clearly aware that he was dreaming, his perspective switching between a god’s-eye view and first-person.

 

He dreamed of himself running in an unknown place, wearing modern clothes. The surroundings were dilapidated, different from the orphanage he had lived in. But before he could examine the scenery closely, the next moment he was sitting in a classroom, furiously solving problems.

 

He was doing math problems.

 

Ah, a bit nostalgic.

 

Xiao Mo’s lips curved in pleasure.

 

After finishing a test paper and walking out of the classroom, he suddenly changed into ancient clothes, and the scene shifted to him arguing with Chu Jinglan.

 

He didn’t process what they were arguing about, but as they argued, he and Chu Jinglan changed locations and started fighting.

 

They weren’t fighting each other, but teaming up against someone. That person seemed wrapped in holy light, their face completely unclear. Amazingly, Xiao Mo was holding a sword.

 

Xiao Mo had indeed once dreamed of being a chivalrous swordsman roaming the world, but now he was quite content with his flute. He thought he no longer yearned for the sword path unsuitable for his inner demon body, but unexpectedly, in his dream, he still wanted to use a sword.

 

He was watching with great interest, but soon noticed something was wrong.

 

…It seemed they couldn’t win?

 

After a moment, he confirmed it: they really couldn’t win.

 

Because Chu Jinglan was lying in his arms, covered in blood, on the verge of death.

 

Xiao Mo was stunned.

 

Chu Jinglan said something to him that he couldn’t hear clearly, but Xiao Mo heard his dream self speak with a trembling voice: “Chu Jinglan, I’ve let you down. If you hadn’t met… I’m sorry…”

 

Xiao Mo’s eyes snapped open.

 

He suddenly sat up from the tree trunk, startling the surrounding fireflies, which scattered for a moment before quickly regathering around him affectionately.

 

Xiao Mo woke up startled, still shaken. Inner demons don’t have heartbeats, but in his mind, he seemed to hear the heavy pounding of a heart, one beat after another, disturbing his peace.

 

Xiao Mo raised his hand to press against his chest. The heart-wrenching sorrow and pain from his dream self’s chest had followed him out. He frowned, thinking, what a strange dream?

 

Setting aside what he said in the dream, the image of Chu Jinglan dying was really… Xiao Mo couldn’t help but shudder.

 

Was it because he had often thought about Chu Jinglan’s fate in the original story?

 

But what he was doing now was helping Chu Jinglan escape that deadly fate.

 

The turmoil in his chest wouldn’t calm down. The more Xiao Mo thought about it, the more uneasy he became. He immediately flew out of his sea of consciousness, appearing beside Chu Jinglan.

 

Chu Jinglan was sitting peacefully on a soft couch, meditating. The room wasn’t dark; tonight he was cultivating instead of sleeping. The soft lamplight fell on his face, peaceful, warm, alive Chu Jinglan.

 

Xiao Mo looked at his features in the lamplight. The chaotic pounding in his mind gradually quieted down. He just kept looking at Chu Jinglan until all the turmoil settled into calm.

 

Xiao Mo slowly exhaled, his tense body relaxing. He wearily reflected that spiritual sense cultivation really could lead to all sorts of experiences. Even knowing it was fake, there were moments when it was easy to be deceived, as if truly present in the scene.

 

He admitted, he had been frightened by Chu Jinglan’s blood.

 

Xiao Mo felt he probably wouldn’t want to train his spiritual sense again for the next few days.

 

He stared at Chu Jinglan for another moment, then climbed onto the soft couch, occupying a corner. He hugged his knees with his arms, curling up, resting his chin on his arms, silently watching the meditating person with just his eyes.

 

Chu Jinglan circulated his spiritual energy through several cycles. When he finished cultivating, it was nearly dawn.

 

He opened his eyes and found Xiao Mo curled up asleep at the end of the couch.

 

Chu Jinglan glanced at the sky outside. It was too early to wake him, but sleeping in that position couldn’t be comfortable.

 

This was a comfortable room with soft beds, not harsh conditions of sleeping rough outdoors. There was no need to endure discomfort.

 

After pondering for a moment, Chu Jinglan tentatively reached out towards Xiao Mo.

 

Xiao Mo was sleeping deeply. In the past, even the slightest movement from Chu Jinglan would wake him, but today Chu Jinglan had already taken him into his arms, and he still hadn’t woken.

 

Chu Jinglan was surprised himself and made his movements even gentler. The next moment, he lifted Xiao Mo from the couch and walked straight to the bed.

 

It was just a few steps from the couch to the bed, taking only an instant. Chu Jinglan placed Xiao Mo among the bedding, hearing his own heart pounding like a drum.

 

For a moment, he didn’t know if he thought the few steps were too short, or why there had to be a distance between the couch and the bed.

 

It left him unable to calm his heart.

 

*

 

When the sun was high in the sky, Xiao Mo finally opened his eyes lazily, finding himself in bed. He wasn’t surprised; without thinking, he knew it could only be Chu Jinglan who had moved him to a more comfortable spot.

 

He rarely lingered in bed, still not wanting to get up. He closed his eyes and spread out his spiritual sense to see if Chu Jinglan was in the mansion.

 

He found that not only was Chu Jinglan there, but he wasn’t alone. The barrier on the practice field was open again, and Yue Ming was already fighting with Chu Jinglan.

 

Just one scan was enough to know that Chu Jinglan would definitely win again.

 

The aftereffects of last night’s sea of consciousness experience were too strong. Xiao Mo lazily turned over, planning to sleep a bit more.

 

Outside, after two moves, the outcome was decided. The winner was indeed Chu Jinglan again.

 

He put away his sword and casually walked to the stone table to pour himself a cup of tea. Yue Ming sat on the ground, frustrated: “How come I still can’t win? This isn’t right, I really thought that move would work—”

 

The more he thought about it, the more unsettled he became. He jumped up, ran to the stone table, and gulped down two cups of tea before calming down a bit.

 

“I originally thought I was the strongest of this generation,” he had to admit. “I didn’t expect someone like you to appear.”

 

Yue Ming talked to himself for a while, then noticed Chu Jinglan hadn’t responded. He was looking down at his teacup, seemingly lost in thought. Yue Ming couldn’t help but tap his cup: “Hey, what are you thinking about? At least say something, otherwise it makes me look too talkative!”

 

Chu Jinglan gave him a cool glance. His lips didn’t move, but his eyes clearly said: Aren’t you?

 

Yue Ming fell back in exasperation.

 

“Are you pondering some sword technique? Tell me about it too!”

 

Chu Jinglan had written down the Moon Lord’s sword manual and given it to the Yingyue Sect. Yue Ming now also had the manual and was studying it. When not sparring, he would also discuss it with Chu Jinglan.

 

Chu Jinglan: “No.”

 

“Then you must have something on your mind? All the more reason to tell me. Sometimes when you’re just guessing alone, you can’t figure things out. I’ll help you think it through, so you won’t be distracted during our next practice. I can’t let you use that as an excuse to lose to me.”

 

Chu Jinglan had indeed been spending a lot of time on a certain issue lately, but still couldn’t find an answer. He was silent for a moment, looking at the still surface of the tea in his hand, before slowly speaking: “I have a friend…”

 

Yue Ming was surprised: “You made a friend?”

 

The tea rippled slightly as Chu Jinglan looked up coldly.

 

Yue Ming held up his hands: “Alright, alright, that’s not important. Congratulations on even an iceberg like you making a friend. It’s not your little attendant, is it? Hey, don’t look at me like that, I won’t mention it. Okay, go on?”

 

Chu Jinglan had already given up hope, but since he’d started talking, he might as well finish: “Never mind who it is. He’s encountered a problem recently and wants to find answers in novels, but can’t find any solutions.”

 

Yue Ming thought to himself that the novels he brought were for Chu Jinglan’s friend. He knew Chu Jinglan didn’t seem like someone who enjoyed novels.

 

Yue Ming thought about the types of novels he had brought: “Looking for answers in romance novels?”

 

Chu Jinglan: “Mm.”

 

Yue Ming exclaimed: “Doesn’t that itself explain the problem?”

 

Chu Jinglan was taken aback: “What do you mean?”

 

“What else could it mean? Romance novels encompass all the world’s love affairs, false or true love and hate, obsession and entanglement. The answers they can give are inseparable from the words ‘love’ and ‘romance,'” Yue Ming concluded decisively. “Your friend is definitely experiencing the first stirrings of love. They must have someone they like!”

 

Chu Jinglan felt a buzzing in his head. Yue Ming’s words were deafening, catching him off guard, yet also clearing away the fog. It was as if a pair of large hands forcefully opened a closed door, compelling him to look at the scene inside.

 

The tea in his cup rippled violently, and when he wasn’t paying attention, it splashed out, creating a small yet significant splash.

 

His feelings for Xiao Mo were… love? The kind of love where one wants to pour out their heart under the moonlight and flowers?

 

The kind of love where one wants to return home together, holding a lantern?

 

The kind of love where he wants to be entangled forever, always holding him?

 

It was…

 

Yes, it was.

 

That’s why he had been looking for answers in novels. It had been right in front of him all along. How could he not know now, if he didn’t know before?

 

Even though Xiao Mo was an inner demon, he couldn’t help but fantasize about seeing him every day when he opened his eyes, wanting to hold his hand and walk together forever.

 

How was he, Chu Jinglan, any different from the characters in the novels?

 

In every hardship, in every most unbearable moment, there was always a ray of light from Xiao Mo:

 

Their first meeting in the bamboo forest, two stubborn youths, arguing daily;

 

Chu Jinglan had never been so easily angered by anyone before, yet Xiao Mo could always easily provoke his temper.

 

It was Xiao Mo’s back as he stood in front of him when everyone eagerly turned their gaze on him after he was crippled;

 

It was Xiao Mo accompanying him to bury his mother, handing him the blood-stained peach blossom hairpin he had secretly kept;

 

It was Xiao Mo staying by his side day and night after he was crippled, helping him kill, taking care of him when he was sick;

 

It was the sobbing flute melody Xiao Mo played in the courtyard where his mother would never return, soothing his grief;

 

It was Xiao Mo’s palm forcefully placed in his hand when he was in excruciating pain while repairing his dantian.

 

And Chu Jinglan’s hand held a flower.

 

In every warmth, there was a touch of sweetness from Xiao Mo:

 

The night-blooming cereus Xiao Mo smilingly tucked at his waist, a bowl of delicious longevity noodles, the sweet licorice flowers on the mountain path, Xiao Mo nervously yet expectantly lying on his back under the moonlight, walking through the night to greet the rising sun.

 

The dao partner marks they engraved on each other’s foreheads;

 

Xiao Mo’s fingertips touching his own, smiling and saying, “Chu Jinglan, you can definitely do it.”

 

Xiao Mo beside him, transforming from a black mist into a peerlessly handsome youth, from the demonic sound where no birds flew over a thousand mountains to the stumbling “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and then from each little star to a sky full of shining galaxies.

 

Chu Jinglan walked through the flower grove and saw Xiao Mo’s carefree figure at the end.

 

Now he knew what he wanted.

 

He wanted to hold those hands and never let go again.

 

Unaware of love’s stirrings, unknowing of its extent, but knowing his true heart, he would go deep and never waver.

 

His heart was once like cold ice, unwilling to speak, but now knowing it was moved, a thousand years of accumulated snow collapsed, vast and unstoppable. However much his heart could hold, he would pour out that much.

 

Chu Jinglan finally knew where to place Xiao Mo. He raised his hand and carefully, solemnly placed Xiao Mo in his heart.

 

Chu Jinglan, so this is love, this is what it means for the heart to be pleased.

 

He thought he could never be moved by anyone, his heart already riddled with holes from cruel winds. He only thought of resisting all winds, making himself unbreakable, never to be hurt again. But besides the frost and cold winds, he forgot that in this world, there’s also spring breeze.

 

It can shed autumn leaves and bloom February flowers.

 

The night-blooming cereus fell by the Red Lotus Lake, the flower had long since bloomed. Every moment he spent with Xiao Mo turned into nourishment, blossoming into boundless beauty.

 

Today, he finally cleared away the fog and understood his own heart.

 

Chu Jinglan, you’re in love with Xiao Mo.

 

With a “crack,” Chu Jinglan crushed the cup in his hand.

 

[Mental attack successful, points added, added—]

 

The prompt stuttered again, and this time it stuttered for a very long time.

 

After a long while, the voice exploded.

 

[Exceeding evaluation limit, exceeding evaluation limit, converted to infinity, host’s current points are infinite!]

 

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1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter